Abstract:
Climate variability with increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods is expected
to negatively affect agricultural production and food security and it causes enormous suffering
particularly on rural farmers’ whose livelihoods depend largely on rain-fed agriculture. The
overall objective of this study is to identify determinants of Farmers’ choice of adaptation to
climate variability. For this study, Primary data was collected from 328 randomly selected
household heads through structured questionnaires which were supplemented by 4 focus
group discussion with 40 participants and field observations in 4 selected kebeles. Secondary
data from different sources were also included in the study. Both descriptive statistics and
Multinomial Logit model were employed to assess climate variability and determinants of
Farmers’ choice of adaptation practices. The survey result shows that there are different
adaptation strategies implemented including changes in planting date; implementation of soil
and water conservation techniques; shifts in livestock rearing from cattle to small ruminant;
growing drought tolerant crops; oxen fattening using cut and carry methods and
intercropping pulses with cereals. According to the Multinomial Logit model analysis, farmers
implemented adaption practices account for 83% that are followed with those who do not use
adaption practices account for 13%. Out of 13 independent variables, 8 were found to be
significant at p value less than 1.5 and 10 %. Age of the household head, education, family
size, plot of farm size, farm income, access to credit, information on climate variability and
perception to climate variability have significant and positive correlation with seasonal
migration, soil and water conservation, adjustment to planting period and planting drought
tolerant varieties Furthermore, the major determinants factors that affect significantly the
choices of adoptions practices were identified as sex, age, family size, education level, land
holding. Livestock holdings, access to climate information, extension service and access to
credit.
